Leicester school board chooses superintendent

The School Committee voted yesterday to offer the position of superintendent of Leicester public schools to Judith Paolucci, who is currently serving as superintendent of schools in Yarmouth, Maine.

The committee will begin immediately to negotiate a contract with Ms. Paolucci, who would replace Paul K. Soojian. Earlier this year, Mr. Soojian announced his intention to retire at the end of December.

Mr. Soojian said last week that he had agreed to stay on until a new superintendent was named, but hoped that would happen as soon as possible.

An afternoon meeting was held to discuss the site visits made recently with the two individuals chosen as finalists in the superintendent search, which drew more than 30 applicants. The other finalist was Marilyn Tencza, who has been curriculum coordinator in the Leicester system for the past eight months and was formerly the principal of Quabbin High School.

The committee members who went to Yarmouth for the visit said that they were impressed with Ms. Paolucci's obvious rapport with her staff, with the parents and with government leaders.

They also pointed out her strong advocacy of improving the system's curriculum (one member referred to her as a curriculum missionary), which is also a priority in Leicester.

Among other strong points the committee stressed are her knowledge of handling a budget, her ability to encourage her teachers to seek and obtain grants to help the schools handle projects the budget couldn't afford, and her knowledge of and interest in technology.

Several committee members described her as a complete package for the superintendent's post as they unanimously voted to offer her the position.

Committee members also said they were impressed with Ms. Tencza's qualifications and proposals for the Leicester school system's future, but felt that Ms. Paolucci's prior service in a superintendent's position is what is needed at this time.